In one of the closest finishes in contest history, Karbach Brewing Company claimed victory in the 2025 Colored by INX Can Design Contest with its standout entry, Dunkels & Dragons. The German-style dark lager’s fantasy-inspired design edged out four other finalists by a single point after a tense tie in public voting was broken by expert judges.
Held by INX International, the annual competition celebrates standout can designs created using at least one color from the INX Color Catalog. Karbach’s winning concept—led by a Houston-based team including brewmaster Mitchell Sokolis, senior brand manager Emily Rodgers, digital content manager Josh Olalde, and senior graphic designer Greg Jackson—blended the worlds of fantasy role-playing and German brewing heritage, resulting in a bold, immersive label that resonated with beer lovers and gamers alike.
“Our goal was to craft a visual narrative that honors brewing history while connecting with modern niche audiences,” Jackson says. “The INX Color Catalog helped us bring that vision to life with speed and precision.”
Dunkels & Dragons beat strong entries from Great Lakes Brewing, Boulevard, Left Hand Brewing, and Olberding Brands & Family/New Belgium. In addition to the trophy and bragging rights, Karbach’s design will be featured in an upcoming issue of INX’s Color Perfection Magazine.